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Nazza wrinkles her nose at the portrait of Prince Stavian and sticks out her tongue at the inscription on the plaque. "I'm not much of one for history--at least not Taldan history. I'll get out of your way," Nazza says, exiting back into the hallway.
She moves over to the next set of doors on the north wall of the hallway , gives it a quick once-over for traps, and opens one of the doors.
While Garry, Chamius, Sebastian, and Tuskgar check the Classroom, Nazza checks the next door. Deciding it to be safe, she opens it and look into a Recital Hall.
This room’s well-worn wooden floor sets it apart from the others. The west wall is lined with shelves that support books, a variety of instruments, and dozens of rectangular baskets that contain loose sheaves of paper. Several chairs are pushed against the wall, and a portrait of the Grand Prince hangs to east, surveying everything in the room with magisterial authority.
With four Pathfinders searching the Classroom it is covered in about 10 minutes. The Recital hall is still a work in progress.
Though you haven't found what you are looking for yet the Classroom does have information that might expedite the search in other areas of the secret archive.
It appears that a long-dead historian wrote more than a dozen books on the topics you’re researching. Perhaps you can find other insightful books by this author.
Clue effect: You may use this clue to gain a +3 bonus on a single skill check made to find texts.
This text gives a detailed analysis of hundreds of proclaimed “ironclad” prophecies that have failed since the disappearance of Aroden. The author speculates that any prophecy made by Arodenites should be viewed with considerable skepticism.
Clue effect: ?
Tuskgar joins the others searching the Recital Hall. Chamius has discovered a trick to navigating the documents in the chamber, and with Tuskgar's help, they'll be done in about 5 minutes.
Sebastian and Garry stand in the hallway.
Sebastian opens up one of the southern doors and discovers a large chamber that must be the Main Library of the secret archives.
Thousands of books line the dozens of shelves in this high-ceilinged library. Several tables and chairs near the center of the room provide a place to read quietly, and five rows of pew-like benches nearby face an immense lion’s head carved from the eastern wall.
Chamius leads those in the Recital Hall to finding a couple more clues that might help further searches elsewhere.
This library uses a strange system for organizing its texts: it alphabetizes its texts based on the progression of major musical scales instead of using the Taldan alphabet.
Clue: You may use this clue to grant a +2 bonus on all checks made to find texts in a single room for the rest of the scenario.
This text describes a cipher in which one must read the message backward, reading only every third letter; all other letters are ignored. The example the book provides is “RMNEB SISWD IILPL OTRSES,” which means “soldier."
Meanwhile, in the Main Library...
As they explore the main library both Garry and Sebastian notice out of the corner of their eyes that the lion has turned slightly to watch them, though it tries to snap back to its original position without being noticed.
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Sebastian searches the main room with glee, clearly wishing he could spend many happy hours perusing the stacks. Nevertheless, he pulls himself from his intellectual reverie to report, "Before I forget, that lion carving has been clearly monitoring us while Garry and I are searching. Thus far it's been benign, hopefully it will continue to function in that manner."
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Nazza browses the shelves, figuring that there must be something a bit more magical than just boring old Taldane history.
She picks out a few books that seem promising before giving the lion's head a good, hard look. "Stone lion's been watching, eh, Seb?" she asks the investigator, raising a well-groomed eyebrow at him. She walks over to examine the statue, he hands on her hips as she gives it a quizzical look. She crosses her arms and says, "Hey, what are you watching us for? You just gonna stare, or introduce yourself or what? I'm Nazza, by the way."
The lion face tries to keep its eyes looking forward, but they keep twitching to glance at Nazza. After a moment it seems to almost smile, though the large teeth in its mouth are slightly intimidating. "Ok, you got me. I'm the Guardian of the library, its my job to stare at everyone that comes in here. You're Nazza, you said? Are you a Lion Blade?"
The eyes on the statue gleam for a moment and Nazza feels some kind of buzz in the air.
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Nazza meets the statue's gaze and feels the buzz of magic around her start to force her tongue into blurting out the truth, but she manages to resist as she exhales a quiet, focused breath from her nostrils. She gives a quick glance to the lion's formidable stone teeth before answering, "Am I a Lion Blade? Look, Guardian, that's privileged information. If I were, how do I know you wouldn't be my enemy? Just because you're shaped like a lion doesn't mean we can tell where your loyalties lie, y'know? All I can say is that I'm on a very important and time-sensitive mission with these other folks here. We're looking for some texts on the Shining Crusades. Any chance you could help us find something like that?"
The Lion considers Nazza carefully, stretching as far as it can against the wall where it is mounted.
"I have created a zone of truth. Perhaps you sense it? I am called Glorymane, and I assure you, I am an official guardian here."
"Regarding your task, I might be of assistance, but I would need to know the reason why. Also, since I don't get out much, I would like to hear some of news of the world outside."
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"Zone of truth, eh? I guess it's good to take some precautions," Nazza admits, warming up a bit to the stone lion face.
"Glorymane, is it? Well, Glorymane, we're looking for texts on the Shining Crusade to assist in our own crusade. We're part of an organization that's assisting the latest Mendevian Crusade against the Worldwound. Maybe you've heard of that? Lots of demons spilling out into the material plane and trying to kill everyone? We were hoping that we could learn something from Taldor's past victories that might help in the current campaign against, you know, our imminent and utter destruction if we let the demons through."
After her explanation, Nazza plops down on one of the benches in front of Glorymane and leans back in a relaxed pose. "That's about the size of it, anyway. What kind of news are you looking for, friend? Something like how I'm trying to get some vengeance for my brother's death (even if he was kind of an ass), or something a bit more on the scale of nations, or what?"
"Though I enjoy all manner of stories, I was hoping for something more along the lines of the latter. This Crusade you mentioned is a good example, and nearly convinces me to aid you, but I have a task to perform and giving out information to anyone who walks in here isn't normally part of that description. Have you word of any other worldly events?"
"Oh.. months. Perhaps a year or two. I cannot tell the passage of time down here easily."
The guardian listens patiently to the stories and news of the world outside. Occasionally it asks a question, or comments upon a subject wistfully.
"Ahhh, how I wish to be able to experience the world outside these walls..." It sighs, after a few minutes. "You seem like honest people on an honorable quest. I will tell you some things that may help you, and in return, I would ask that you seek out a vessel worthy of carrying my essence, something worthy - perhaps a shield - and being it to me so that I might explore the world for a time." It continues to talk as if helping it is a foregone conclusion. "Through the locked doors to the south, you will meet the caretaker. She is blind, but a most worthy caretaker, for that is where many valuable books are kept. In order to get through the doors, you'll need a key. I have one." As it says this, a key comes sliding out of its open maw to clang onto the floor. "Good luck in your studies!"
Completing an initial search of the Main Library is delayed slightly due to the conversation had with Glorymane, but the lion guardian's advice could prove the key to finding what you are looking for in the limited time you have to search the archives.
This aging card catalog system notes where one might find various types of information. The reference is somewhat dated and inaccurate.
Clue: Use this clue to learn how many clues or texts remain in any two rooms.
Right next to one great discovery, you make another incredible find!
Clue: Use this clue when you or another PC discovers a clue or text to find one additional clue or text, if any remain in the room. (If attempting to use this in a room that doesn’t have any more clues, it doesn’t count; this clue can be used again.
You have found several particularly engaging texts, and you find it particularly easy to concentrate on the reading.
Clue: Use this clue before a PC rolls a skill check to find a clue or text. He rolls twice and takes the higher of the two rolls.
A book references another promising text. If only you could find where that other text is…
Clue: You may use this clue to gain a +3 bonus on a single skill check made to find texts.
There are extensive notes scribbled in the margins of this book. These hand-written insights could be key to your next big discovery.
Clue: You may use this clue to gain a +3 bonus on a single skill check made to find texts.